The idea of working well into our 80s and beyond is both a thrilling prospect and a daunting one. While some see it as an opportunity to stay engaged and active, others fear the prospect of a never-ending grind. But what's fascinating is that this future is already here for many. In fact, the World Economic Forum's Future of Jobs report predicts that 65% of children entering primary school today will work in job categories that don't yet exist. This means that the traditional 3-stage life of education, career, and retirement is being disrupted, and we're being forced to rethink our approach to work. Personally, I think this is a fascinating development, but it also raises some important questions. What does it mean for our physical and mental health? How will it impact our social connections and sense of purpose? And what does it say about the nature of work itself? One thing that immediately stands out is the increasing number of older people who are still working. In Australia, rates of retirement among those in their 60s have halved in the last 20 years. Similarly, in the US, over half a million Americans aged 80 or older are still working, and in Japan, a growing number of people aged 100 or older continue to work. This trend is particularly interesting when you consider the benefits of work for older people. For some, work provides a sense of pleasure, social connection, and purpose into older age. Take the case of Seiichi Ishii, a 103-year-old Japanese bicycle repairman who said, "If I die here, in my workshop, I will be happy." Or Bengie Santos, a 72-year-old exercise instructor who has a "cult-like" following of Americans in their 80s and 90s who come to move their bodies to music in her classes. For these people, work is not just a necessity, but a source of joy and fulfillment. However, the flip side of this trend is the increasing risk of injury for older workers. A study by Monash University professor Karen Walker-Bone found that rates of injury in workers aged 60 or over have doubled in the last 10 years. Fractures accounted for 40% of older worker injury admissions, and falling while on the job was the most common cause of injury. This highlights the need for workplaces to adapt the environment to support the safety of older workers, but also the need to cater to the health and longevity of workers. That might mean providing healthier food options, showers, coaching and mentoring, greater flexibility, and considering the physical demands of a job as a person ages. From my perspective, this raises a deeper question: what does it mean for the nature of work itself? As automation and an ageing workforce continue to reshape the job market, we're likely to see a shift from manual labor to knowledge work where judgment and experience compound as we age. In fact, futurist Dr Ben Hamer suggests that the future of work may mean the back half of a career stops being a slow fade. Instead, we may see more flexibility and optionality, with people clawing back chunks of their life along the way rather than banking all their freedom for the very end. This raises a fascinating question: what if work is redefined? What if the grind into our 90s is not something to be feared, but rather an opportunity to stay engaged and active? In my opinion, the key to making the most of this future is to find purpose and engagement, and choice in how we do it. As Hamer says, "The goal isn't to work until you drop. It's to stay in the game on your own terms." This means that we need to prioritize our health, relationships, fitness, and nutrition, and make the most of the opportunities that come our way. In conclusion, the future of work is both thrilling and daunting. While it may mean a never-ending grind for some, it also presents an opportunity to stay engaged and active, and to redefine the nature of work itself. What's fascinating is that this future is already here for many, and it's up to us to make the most of it.
